Single-Parent Families - Single Fathers Compared To Single Mothers

children custody parenting differences

The overwhelming majority of single-parent families are headed by mothers (84% of all single-parent families in 1998), rather than fathers (16%). Still, the
Children in single-parent homes do well when they experience parenting that is adequate in terms of warmth, control, and monitoring.(Hurewitz Creative/Corbis)
number of single fathers has increased since the 1970s (9% of all single-parent homes were father-headed in 1970). The circumstances surrounding the single-parent status of men versus women differ. The greatest percentage of single fathers gained custody of children as the result of parental divorce. Single fathers are more likely to gain custody of children when mothers have either chosen not to retain custody or are perceived to be incompetent. Single fathers are more likely to have custody of older rather than younger children and of boys rather than girls. By and large, the challenges for single fathers and single mothers are similar and include the difficulties of combining parenting responsibilities and employment, and economic disadvantage. On average, single fathers have higher standards of living than do single mothers, which decreases potential stresses within the family. Yet single mothers have been reported to have warmer and more structured relationships with their children than do single fathers. Several studies have indicated that once economic factors are taken into account, children from single-mother families fare better than children from single-father families. Such differences may be accounted for by these parenting differences or by the aforementioned differences in the circumstances surrounding the father custody arrangement.

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User Comments

The author of the is article has very little understanding of the actual research. Even a remedial review of the literature would have found overwhelming statistical evidence that children in the custody of single fathers fare much better than those in the custody of single mothers. This is despite the fact that the father often gets custody because the child exhibits discipline problems beyond the mother's control.

These statistics translate to mean that children from a fatherless home are:

20 times more likely to have behavioral disorders

9 times more likely to drop out of high school

10 times more likely to abuse chemical substances

9 times more likely to end up in state operated institutions

20 times more likely to end up in prison

10 times more likely to commit rape ... and

32 times more likely to run away from home

about 6 years ago

Fatherlesschild

As someone who was raised by a single mom, the way you people spout out statistics like they actually mean anything is disheartening. Gender has no say in a person's ability to raise a child. There are mothers who are not caring in the least bit and there are fathers who are completely incapable of economic independence, it's all completely individual.

"Shattered man" nice to my future is extremely bright, never been arrested, I'm graduating college this semester, never was homeless or have runaway, and my anxiety levels and chemical dependence are no different than my friends who have grown up with both parents. Oh but since your statistics seem to be the end all, I shouldn't pat myself on the back just yet, maybe next year my 'horrible and traumatizing fatherless childhood' will come crashing down on me and I'll become a homeless, rapist, heroine addict.

With the divorce rate a 50%, single parent families are becoming more and more prevalent, so before you spout out these statistics that you use instead of forming you're own opinions just think about that maybe half the people you meet in your life are from single family homes....can all of them really be as bad as you make them out to be?

over 3 years ago

Single Mother

I'm a single mother, who came from a single mother home. My younger brother graduated from High school and is now going to college. He has never had any problems with drugs, environmental involvement of any kind in that area, and hasn't seen his father since he was little. I graduated with honors from my high school, went to college got two degrees and am working on another one. I'm also a single mother. So how does those statistic work now? I guess my family is a rarity.

almost 4 years ago

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almost 4 years ago

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almost 4 years ago

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almost 5 years ago

shatteredmen wrote

over 6 years ago

q

Approximately 84% of custodial parents are mothers.Of the mothers who are custodial parents:45% are currently divorced or separated34.2% have never been married19% are married (In most cases, these numbers represent women who have remarried.)1.7% were widowed.

Of the 16% fathers who are custodial parents:57.8% are divorced or separated20.9% have never married20% are currently married (In most cases, these numbers represent men who have remarried.)Fewer than 1% were widowed

So, "shattered man", your data is misleading because most single parents are women. And "Autumn", your second statement is empirically incorrect, female remarriage rates are only 1% lower.

almost 7 years ago

autumn

in my opinion,,it's not that children will fare m0re from fathers..it's just the fact that a father can provide enough money, shelter and food for the children compared to a mom..and that a father can look for another woman to replace his ex-wife's place to look after his children while he's gone to work ..while a mom/ a divorced woman will never search for someone else as a replacement cos practically ALL men are the SAME...

over 1 year ago

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over 2 years ago

I am interested in more statistical information regarding single father famllies, especially those that are homeless. We are an emerging ministry dedicated to working with homeless single father families. Our goal is to help stabilize the family by providing a structured environment with classes and workshops teaching parenting, anger management, etc.Any information you may be able to provide will be greatly appreciated.Thank you!Clark Ashley, Foundermm

over 3 years ago

Single Mother

I'm a single mother, who came from a single mother home. My younger brother graduated from High school and is now going to college. He has never had any problems with drugs, environmental involvement of any kind in that area, and hasn't seen his father since he was little. I graduated with honors from my high school, went to college got two degrees and am working on another one. I'm also a single mother. So how does those statistic work now? I guess my family is a rarity.

almost 4 years ago

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almost 4 years ago

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about 4 years ago

Single-Parent Families - Single Fathers Compared To Single Mothers

over 4 years ago

rk

The user comments in response to this article are much more important than the article itself

over 6 years ago

il128

This is bad science:"Several studies have indicated that once economic factors are taken into account, children from single-mother families fare better than children from single-father families."

The above is no different than saying: "Once you take in to account warmer and more structured relationships, children from single-father families fare better than children from single-mother families."